Qatar has expressed its full solidarity and support for Libya which has been hit hard by freak floods, killing more than 2,300 people as of September 13. Directed by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has launched an air bridge to deliver humanitarian aid and help relief and rescue activities as thousands of people remain missing in the devastating flash flood that hit the eastern Mediterranean coastal city of Derna late on September 10. Riverside buildings in the city collapsed after Storm Daniel brought heavy rainfall that broke river dams and engulfed entire neighbourhoods. According to one report, about ten thousand people remain missing.
Two Qatari planes are delivering a field hospital provided by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and 67 tonnes of relief and food supplies as an emergency response to the disaster. The shipment also includes support provided by Qatar Red Crescent Society. The first of the two Qatari planes arrived at Benina International Airport in Benghazi yesterday.
In a tweet yesterday, H H the Amir said: “I extend to our brothers in Libya my sincere condolences and sympathy for the victims of the catastrophic floods, and we in Qatar declare our full solidarity with the Libyan people to overcome this painful ordeal, and we ask Allah to have mercy on the dead, bring back the missing, and heal the wounded.”
In its meeting yesterday, the Cabinet also expressed its deepest condolences and sympathy to Libya’s people and the Government of National Unity over the calamity, reaffirming Qatar’s solidarity and its readiness to provide the necessary assistance to areas affected by floods. The field hospital sent by Qatar will provide urgent and specialised healthcare to the injured. It includes specialised medical equipment, patient beds, power generators and various medical supplies, enabling it to offer comprehensive healthcare to the injured and patients.
During its session in Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council yesterday observed a moment of silence to mourn the lives lost due to the floods and torrents in Libya, as an expression of standing in solidarity with the Libyan people. This came after a request by Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva H E Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah
Some scientists have warned that there will be increased risk of extreme weather conditions and floods in the future due to climate change. It is high time the world came together and started working towards addressing the climate change in earnest.
